Drivers better be on their best behavior from now through the Labor Day weekend. Officers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will be out in full force devoting special attention to busting drunk drivers over the next few weeks, according to the Sun Sentinel.

The crackdown will be running through the 3rd of September.

In 2011, state troopers issued nearly 14,000 citations to drivers across the state over a four-day enforcement period which included Labor Day. South Florida drivers accounted for about a quarter of these citations.

Our Palm City car accident attorneys understand that there were close to 150 people killed in drunk driving car accidents during the 2010 Labor Day weekend. These kinds of accidents accounted for close to 40 percent of all traffic fatalities during this time. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a nationwide campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” will be working to keep drunk drivers off of the country’s roads. It’s being held from the 17th of August through the 3rd of September.

“Law enforcement, coupled with a highly-publicized awareness campaign, is crucial to getting drunk drivers off our roadways over Labor Day weekend and throughout the year,” said Jan Withers, MADD National President.

In 2009, which represents the most recent drunk driving accident statistics for the state of Florida, there were nearly 1,000 people killed in drunk driving car accidents. There were more than 900 additional people killed in car accidents that involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, meaning they may not have produced a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08. Regardless, drunk driving car accidents account for about a third of all fatal car accidents every year in the U.S. What might be most alarming about these crashes and fatalities is that they are actually completely preventable.

Drivers are asked to be safe, and sober, out there during this time of the year. Labor Day produces some of the most frequent drunk driving car accidents during any other similar holiday period throughout the entire year. Do you part to help keep our roads safe for everyone and pledge to stay sober!

-If you find yourself without a designated driver, don’t worry! There are other ways you can get home safely. Consider calling a taxi, taking a bus, calling a family member or a friend to come get you or stay at a safe place.

-Report any suspected drunk drivers on our roadways. Your call can help to save a life.

-If you see an intoxicated loved one going to drive, take their keys from them and help them to find a safe way home.If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a drunk driving car accident, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777.